October 1st – 9th

9 Days – 8 Nights

Join the Highlights of Ireland Tour and visit some of the greatest sights Ireland has to offer! Hop on Hop off in Dublin, kiss the Blarney Stone in Cork, explore the streets of Killarney, see the Cliffs of Moher and drive the Ring of Kerry, all while traveling with singles, solo travelers and new friends.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Dublin

Arrive at the Dublin, Ireland airport (airport code DUB) and take the provided shuttle to the Camden Court Hotel. Your singles vacation begins when you meet your group hostess and fellow travelers in the hotel lobby at 7:00 pm for a meet and greet and optional dinner.

Day 2: Dublin

After a full Irish Breakfast at the hotel, receive your Dublin Pass and Hop-on Hop-off tour bus tickets. With over 30 attractions included free with our Pass, there is no need to carry cash or rummage for money. So, keep your wallet in your pocket, save money and discover Dublin!

Not only does the Dublin Pass entitle our singles vacation group to free admission, we also benefit from Fast-Track entry, allowing us to skip the long lines at some of the busiest tourist attractions! So visit Trinity College and the Old Library to view the illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Kilmainham Gaol and the Old Jameson Distillery or one of the many other stops along the route. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at a local Irish pub.

Day 3: Dublin – Cork – Killarney

What would a trip to Ireland be without kissing the Blarney Stone? Say goodbye to Dublin as we travel with our driver/guide to County Cork, the home of Blarney Castle. Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac McCarthy. Its fame might have something to do with the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of our Tower. Once upon a time, visitors had to be held by the ankles and lowered head first over the battlements. Today, the Stone itself is still set in the wall below the battlements. To kiss it, one has to lean backwards (holding on to an iron railing) from the parapet walk. The prize is a real one as once kissed the stone bestows the gift of eloquence.

In the late afternoon, we will arrive in Killarney, Ireland’s most historic and compact medieval city with picturesque alleyways and an array of historical buildings. We will check into Scotts Hotel Killarney. There are many workshops of local arts and craftsmen, ice cream and sweet shops, and a variety of restaurants to be found in Killarney but the real soul of the town is its pubs.

Tonight we will take a walk around the town and check-out the local music and food in one or two of the 50 pubs located here.

Day 4: Killarney – Ring of Kerry

Today explore the Ring of Kerry, 105 miles of some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery. The Ring of Kerry offers magnificent panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean and the rugged coastline of southwest Ireland, contrasting with the rich and varied vegetation nurtured by the Gulf Stream.The route takes us through many small villages such as Sneem, famous for its multicolored houses, and through the mountains to Molls Gap and Ladies View, which offer superb views of the famous lakes of Killarney.

The founding partners of Killarney Brewing Company have restored the old Killarney Mineral Water drinks facility to its former glory; specializing in the production of what they believe is Ireland’s finest range of craft beers. Check out the Brewhouse up close and personal with tour guides that are true Killarney characters. The tour, lasting approx 1 hour, consists of an introductory film, a walking tour of the brewery, meet the brewer and finally a complimentary beer tasting and storytelling.

Day 5: Killarney – Adare – Limerick

Snuggled in a wooden and lush countryside setting, Adare is widely regarded as being Ireland’s prettiest and most picturesque village. Step back in time and experience the architectural wealth and scenic beauty of Adare village. The mix of centuries is blended into everyday life as some of the thatched cottages are home to arts and crafts shops.

Our vacation continues onto Limerick to discover the history of Ireland’s third largest city on our walking tour. Stroll by buildings ancient and historical, middle-aged and stately, modern and exciting on both sides of the River Shannon. See the famous King John’s Castle, King’s Island, Irish Town, Georgian Limerick and Newtown Perry. We will check into the Limerick Strand Hotel.

Tonight we check out a few of the local pubs for food, live music and fun.

Day 6: Limerick – Cliffs of Moher – Galway

Travel to the coast for a visit to the Cliffs of Moher. These are the most majestic cliffs in Ireland and rise from the Atlantic Ocean at 705 feet and extend for over 2300 feet long. From this height, you can admire the Aran Islands, the Connemara Mountains and listen to the many sea birds that colonize this place from springtime on.

Continue to Galway via the Burren Region, a strange and unique region in Europe. “Burren” means “large stones” – in fact its name describes this impressive scenery perfectly well. The Burren is a High-Plateau of porous limestone. No trees grow here and no land is covering the stone. However, the Burren is not as deserted as we believe. You will also discover the testimonies of its rich history such as countless castles and monastic ruins. We will check into the HYDE Hotel.

Tonight enjoy “Trad On The Prom”, the best traditional Irish Dance and Music show in Galway City. Performers who have captivated audiences in extraordinary and groundbreaking productions such as “Riverdance”, “The Chieftains” and “Lord of the Dance” have gathered on one stage to present an unforgettable entertainment experience.

Day 7: Galway – Aran Islands

After breakfast we take a short bus ride to the Ros a’ Mhíl Port where we board our ferry to Inis Mór, the biggest of the 3 Aran Islands. NorthWest across Galway Bay our sailing time to Inis Mór is 45 minutes. The island, only 7.5 miles in length and 1.86 miles in width has a population of about 1,000 people spread over 14 villages. Our mini bus tour with a local well informed tour guide will be about three hours long, with about an hour allowed at Dún Aonghasa (Dun Aengus).

Dún Aonghasa is a prehistoric fort perched on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Named after a mythical Irish king and pre-Christian god, the semi-circular stone fort dates back to the Bronze Age and offers insight into ancient Ireland. Recent excavation found evidence of human activity dating back over two and a half thousand years. Covering an area of 14 acres, the interior of the hill fort is divided into an outer, middle and inner enclosure by three curved walls terminating at the cliff face.

Tonight we check out a few of the local pubs for food, live music and fun.

Day 8: Galway – Dublin

Travel the Irish countryside to the world-renowned Irish National Stud Farm, home to some of Ireland’s finest thoroughbreds. This 1,000-acre Farm has been in use as a Stud Farm since 1900 and boasts a fascinating state-of-the-art Horse Museum. Why not take a stroll around the beautiful Japanese Gardens situated in the grounds of the Stud Farm. Planned to symbolize the ‘Life of Man’ from the cradle to the grave, the gardens are considered the finest in Europe.

Or travel through an underground stone passage to experience the raw beauty of St. Fiachra’s Garden. Designed as a Millennium project, it has four acres of woodland and lakeside walks and invokes the spirituality of the monastic movement in Ireland during the 6th and 7th centuries.

Time to relax at the Carlton Dublin Airport Hotel before our farewell dinner and show. Enjoy The Merry Ploughboys Live in Concert, regarded as the best traditional music show in Dublin. The show itself is a highly entertaining performance of live traditional Irish Music, Song and Irish Dancing. The very best of fresh Irish food is served from our restaurant which offers a choice menu.

Day 9: Depart Dublin

After the group’s final breakfast at our hotel, take the shuttle bus to Dublin Airport and bid farewell to the Emerald Isle. Sad to say but another wonderful singles vacation has come to an end.